OVERVIEW
The Stewart Air National Guard (SANG) Restoration Advisory Committee (RAC) was formed in early 2020 and holds public meetings quarterly to review SANG's environmental remediation projects, including the cleanup of Newburgh's PFAS-contaminated watershed and drinking water reservoirs. SANG is a NY State Superfund Site, and as such, is required to follow cleanup measures under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Both the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the Department of Health (NYSDOH) have the responsibility to ensure that the risks posed by State Superfund sites are properly evaluated and addressed. During this remediation process, the City of Newburgh currently and temporarily gets its drinking water from the Catskill Aqueduct (NYC's clean and protected water supply). NCWP and its allies provide support to the RAC Community Members as they hold the Department of Defense accountable for the full remediation of our watershed, including cleanup of PFAS contamination from water bodies, groundwater and soil.
PURPOSE
The Stewart Air National Guard (SANG) Restoration Advisory Committee (RAC) is designed to provide a forum for effective two-way communication between the community and the New York Air National Guard about the environmental work that is being conducted at Stewart Air National Guard Base. A RAC may only address issues associated with environmental restoration activities.
COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP
The RAC is made up of 25 members, including 10 representatives of the NY Air National Guard, Stewart International Airport, and other local and state government officials, known as 'RAC Department Members', as well as 15 members from the Greater Newburgh community (City of Newburgh, Town of Newburgh and New Windsor), known as 'RAC Community Members'.
OPERATING PROCEDURES
The RAC is governed by its Operating Procedures created with input from all RAC members. These Operating Procedures are derived from the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) Handbook. If you have comments or suggestions, please contact us here or via Facebook.
2021 RAC MEETING DATES & MATERIALS
RAC Meetings are held quarterly and are open to the public. There is an public comment period towards the end of each meeting around 7:40 PM. All meetings are transcribed in English and Spanish. Please join us!
MEETING 6 — April 28, 2021, 6-8 PM
Miércoles, 28 de abril 2021, 6-8 PM
Public Online GoTo Meeting
MEETING 5 — February 3, 2021, 6-8 PM
Public Online GoTo Meeting
2020 RAC MEETING DATES & MATERIALS
RAC Meetings are held quarterly and are open to the public. There is an public comment period towards the end of each meeting around 7:40 PM. All meetings are transcribed in English and Spanish. Please join us!
MEETING 3 — July 29, 2020, 6-8 PM
Online GoTo Meeting
MEETING 2 — April 30, 2020, 6-8 PM
Online GoTo Meeting
Facebook Audio Recording
MEETING 1 — February 4, 2020, 6-8 PM
The Armory, 321 S William St., Newburgh, NY
RAC COMMUNITY MEMBERS 2021
RAC Community Members are selected based on inclusive representation, diverse skillsets, and community outreach capacity. Of the Members below, 5 seats are held by representatives of environmental organizations involved in local and regional watershed protection and conservation. These include Newburgh's Conservation Advisory Council, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Newburgh Clean Water Project, Riverkeeper, and Quassaick Creek Watershed Alliance.
Robert Browning — Retired Educator
Ramona Burton — Program Manager, MiSN-NY & Newburgh Enlarged City School District Board Member
Jack Caldwell — Operations Manager, Black Rock Forest Consortium & Quassaick Creek Watershed Alliance
John Clarke — Engineer
Laura Garcia — Family & Community Engagement Coordinator at Newburgh Enlarged City School District & Rural Migrant Ministry
Manna Jo Greene — Environmental Director, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
Carla Johnson — Community Organizer, Community Voices Heard & Nu Voters Project
Ed Lawson, J.D., RAC Co-Chair — Director, Family and Community Engagement Services, Inc. & Newburgh Enlarged City School District Board Member
Victoria Leung, J.D. — Associate Staff Attorney, Riverkeeper, RAC Interim Secretary
Aura Lopez — Health Promoter, Planned Parenthood & Newburgh Counts Co-Chair
Mark Sanchez Potter — Substitute Teacher, Newburgh Enlarged City School District & Environmental Justice Organizer
Cassie Sklarz, Ed.D. — Communication Strategist, Newburgh Enlarged City School District
Chuck Thomas — Former Director, Newburgh Free Library & Conservation Advisory Council
Jen Rawlison — Newburgh Clean Water Project
Ronald Zorilla — Founder, Outdoor Promise & Principal, Converging Strategies
Science Committee
Bill Fetter, Quassaick Creek Watershed Alliance
Emily Vail, Hudson River Watershed Alliance
THANK YOU TO OUR FORMER MEMBERS
Anthony Fern — IBM Compliance Officer (retired)
Tal Gluck — Data Integration Engineer, Superconductive Health
Cynthia Mack — Newburgh Enlarged City School District
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A RAC MEMBER?
RAC Community Members serve a staggered term of 1-3 years (their preference) to ensure their is continuity among membership. Members are selected through a RAC Community Member vote and approval by both Co-Chairs. If you are interested in becoming a RAC Community Member, please fill out the application form below by October 23, 2020.